Shocking new figures show that nearly one in ten mums to be in Southport and Formby are risking their babies’ health by smoking during pregnancy.

The figures from the 2015-16 financial year however are the best in Merseyside, with people living in Knowsley more than twice as likely to puff away while expecting - one of the highest rates in England.

The figures by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that 9.2% of expectant mums in Southport and Formby continue to smoke afer falling pregnant, which rises to 15.4% in South Sefton, 16.1% in Liverpool and 19.4% in Knowsley.

Smoking during pregnancy by area

St Helens also had a very high rate with 16.1% of mothers smoking up until the birth of their child.

Though the proportion of women giving birth recorded as smokers fell to lowest level since figures were recorded in 2006/07 at 10.6%, there are areas in England where up to a quarter of women giving birth over the last 12 months were smokers.

Of England’s 209 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Blackpool had the highest prevalence, with one in four (26%) women recorded as being smokers at the time of delivery.

Evidence from a number of studies has shown that maternal smoking increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight.